Cedric Stephens | Multiple quakes, storms a wake-up call

Jamaica experienced two back-to-back seismic events last Sunday. The first, which occurred at 10:50 a.m., was measured at magnitude 5.6. The second followed an hour later. It was stronger; its magnitude was 6.5.

Both earthquakes were felt across several parishes. Fortunately, neither of them caused major damage.

My artificial intelligence app, quoting a local source, disclosed that “there were 270 felt earthquakes recorded in Jamaica” since the start of this year – that is, nearly one tremor every day. The Caribbean region is geologically active. This means that the tectonic plates and the underlying layers that form the earth’s crust in the region are always moving, as opposed to being geologically stable,

There have been 17 named storms since the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season started on June 1. Out of these, 11 have developed into hurricanes, and five have become major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher). The season, which ends on November 30, has been very active and is on track to be one with the most intense storms on record.

The eye of Hurricane Beryl, a Category 4 event, passed to the south of Jamaica between July 3 and 4. The island, especially the southern and south-western parts, were severely affected. Buildings, infrastructure, and agricultural property and crops were damaged. The estimated financial impact of that event was approximately $45 billion, according to Dr Nigel Clarke. Government had to draw on its internal ‘before the event’ emergency funds to aid the recovery efforts. In former years, foreign loans and grant funds would have filled the gap.

Some governments have adopted a variety of strategies to manage the risks associated with natural disasters instead of relying on foreign loans and grant funds. Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of storms. Small island developing states like Jamaica are acutely exposed. Below are 10 approaches that are currently being implemented to manage these risks:

• Establish early warning systems: Implement systems to provide timely alerts about impending disasters, allowing people to evacuate or take necessary precautions;

• Improve infrastructure: Strengthen buildings, bridges, and other infrastructure to withstand natural disasters, such as earthquakes and hurricanes;

• Engage communities: Involve local communities in disaster preparedness activities, ensuring they are aware of risks and know how to respond;

• Improve education and awareness: Conduct awareness campaigns to educate people about disaster risks and how to protect themselves and their property;

• Encourage the purchase of insurance: Encourage the purchase of insurance to cover potential losses from natural disasters, providing financial support for recovery;

• Practise emergency planning: Develop and practice emergency response plans to ensure a coordinated and effective response when disasters occur;

• Protect the environment: Protect and restoring natural environments, such as wetlands, which can act as buffers against natural disasters;

• Mitigate climate change: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate the effects of climate change, which can exacerbate natural disasters;

• Measure and fund the cost of disasters before they occur: Establish financial mechanisms to fund disaster relief, recovery, and reconstruction efforts, that is, disaster risk financing; and

• Develop legislative frameworks: Develop and enforce laws and regulations to ensure proper disaster risk management and response.

The Government of Jamaica, according to newspaper and other reports, appears to be in the process of implementing these strategies. Their combined effects, over time, will help communities and the island to become more resilient and better prepared to face natural disasters.

Former Finance & Public Service Minister Dr Nigel Clarke’s performance as senior member of the administration should be evaluated in the context of these strategies, especially in disaster risk financing. He understood the dangers that these hazards pose to the country’s development.

Despite Jamaica’s acute exposure to earthquakes and hurricanes and its centuries-long history of deaths and economic disruption by these events, none of Dr Clarke’s predecessors have developed, implemented, and spoke about a disaster financing strategy as much as he did or placed it at the centre of government’s plan. The cumulative impact of disasters on Jamaica’s economy was estimated at US$5.4 billion, or two per cent of gross domestic product, since 2001.

The Jamaica Labour Party highlighted under separate headings several achievements of Dr Clarke in three full-page advertisements in this newspaper last week. Disaster risk financing was listed as one of the ex-minister’s successes. I agree. However, one important thing was missing from the five-point list: Dr Clarke devoted substantial time and energy in communicating and educating citizens about the disaster risk financing strategy.

Here is one example: Hurricane Beryl, he wrote in an article that was published in this newspaper – ‘Building a Robust Disaster Risk Framework’ – created an opportunity “to further advance public understanding of this national policy through demonstration of its necessity, benefits, and efficacy”. Those words came to mind as I reflected on last Sunday’s two earthquakes and the imminent ending of the 2024 ‘hurricane season from hell’, which is estimated to have caused economic losses of US$500 million in North America, Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as last week’s two back-to-back earthquakes.

Cedric E. Stephens provides independent information and advice about the management of risks and insurance. For free information or counsel, write to: aegis@flowja.com or business@gleanerjm.com